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Cantonese

Cantonese
Cantonese is a southern Chinese dialect, which is an integral part of Hong Kong’s identity and culture.
Children hold up calligraphy banners they have just received for Lunar New Year in Singapore on January 29, ahead of the holiday. Photo: Xinhua
Lunar New Year

Being Chinese | The great Lunar New Year divide and how I bridged it

After sitting through the Spring Festival Gala with mainland Chinese friends, I had to introduce them to a delightful ritual from Singapore.

My Life

He thought his life was a failure. Then he wrote it down.

Food and Drinks

10 great Lunar New Year food and drink gifts available in Hong Kong

Education in Hong Kong

Will allowing more Hong Kong schools to use English be too testing for pupils?

After decades of debate, authorities and schools sector say time is right to adjust the language policy but some argue move is mainly political.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong society

Letters | Vulnerable families in Hong Kong simply must master Cantonese

Readers discuss the transformative power of a trilingual skill set, public awareness of the shark fin problem, and how to increase public participation in recycling.

Chinese culture

7 horse-themed Chinese idioms to use during the Year of the Horse

Horses symbolise strength, speed and health in Chinese culture. Here are seven sayings based on the animal, with Cantonese pronunciations.

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Chinese culture

Lunar New Year greetings in Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese and Hokkien

The Year of the Horse 2026 will be welcomed across China with blessings for money, health and more. Here are common ones and their meanings.

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A woman holds Lunar New Year decorations. Throughout China, greetings in various dialects will be exchanged to welcome the Year of the Horse. Here are some of them and their meanings. Photo: Shutterstock
On Our Radar

A Napa legend, a Cantonese feast and a very bold pairing

The Californian vineyard that stunned the wine world 50 years ago is being paired with Cantonese cuisine.

Hong Kong

7 stories from 2025 that made us feel good, including a Jimmy O. Yang interview

Need a feel-good boost? We revisit seven uplifting stories from the year, showcasing Hong Kong artists, adorable Cantonese teachers and more.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Wicked songs in Cantonese? New online series champions Hong Kong talent

Songs like ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling’ have been painstakingly translated for the ‘Wicked in Canto’ series on YouTube and Instagram.

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Singers Chloe Wong (left) and Marco Tang are part of the 17-person troupe responsible for “Wicked in Canto”, a series of videos featuring songs from the global musical phenomenon performed in Cantonese. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Simplified Chinese for tests? Rigid education system needs proper reform

School’s aim to provide a ‘more friendly assessment system’ is ironic, given Hong Kong’s failure to provide an inclusive environment for ethnic minority students.

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Shatin Government Primary School at Sun Tin Wai is seen on November 6. The government school issued a circular to parents saying pupils could use simplified characters in tests. Photo: Edmond So
Food and Drinks

Chinese restaurant owner Amy Poon gets steamy at her new London joint

With open flames banned in the 18th-century building overlooking the Thames that houses Poon’s at Somerset House, Poon had to get creative.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why new documentary on Beyond’s Wong Ka-kui only tells part of the story

Because of You – Ka Kui, about the life of the Hong Kong frontman, is marred by the same issues that tore Beyond apart after his death.

Food and Drinks

What is Shandong cuisine? Chefs’ Hong Kong dinners bring out food’s best

Chef Wang Haoquan’s Shandong cuisine and Tsang Chiu-King’s Cantonese dishes were a match made in heaven at recent dinners in Hong Kong.

Chef Wang Haoquan’s signature braised sea cucumber with scallions is quintessentially Jiaodong cuisine. Photo: Ming Court
Hong Kong culture

Want to learn Cantonese? Take lessons from this 8-year-old from Hong Kong

Aiden Tsang makes learning Cantonese fun with his cute Instagram videos that get likes from Jimmy O. Yang and other Hong Kong celebrities.

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Aiden Tsang, who last year moved from Hong Kong to Australia, says he misses food found in Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs. The eight-year-old is charming people on Instagram with his Cantonese lessons. Photo: Aiden Tsang
Hong Kong politics

From Stephen Chow films to Beyond hits: PLA sailors share Hong Kong affinity

Crew from Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan recount experience in city as residents enjoy final open day.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Handle integration of Hong Kong’s ethnic minority children with care

Readers discuss Chinese language acquisition among children from the city’s ethnic minority communities, and the harm social media causes children.

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Chinese culture

Being Chinese | Life and finance lessons from my Hong Kong mahjong parties

I was a hit with my mahjong buddies because I didn’t play like a typical Chinese person. The years since have taught me better.

A player discards a tile during a session at the Hong Kong Mahjong Company. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Success of Hong Kong’s top talent scheme must go deeper than numbers

The city must attract talent willing to develop careers and raise families here, instead of those just staying long enough to secure residency benefits.

Hong Kong police

Exclusive | On the beat with Hong Kong’s highest-ranking colonial-era expatriate officer

Assistant Commissioner David Jordan reflects on bridging cultures, balancing tradition, protests and progress throughout his 30-year career.

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Food and Drinks

Chinese-Canadian families and their restaurants get their stories told

Online project tells immigrant stories of restaurant and cafe owners from Montreal to Vancouver, and brought its maker and her dad closer.

Sons & Daughters creator Suyin Looui (left) with her daughter and father Steffan in front of the Chinese-Canadian cafe he worked in growing up. Looui’s project tells stories of Chinese immigrants in Canada and their experiences in such cafes and restaurants. Photo: Suyin Looui
Performing arts in Hong Kong

‘Phenomenal’: Hong Kong musical’s extra 10 shows sell out in hours

Buzz from The Impossible Trial’s sold-out Shanghai and Beijing runs sparked a ticket frenzy for 10 additional shows in its Hong Kong return.

(From left) Leung Chung-hang, Sheena Chan and Ronny Yuen, original cast members of The Impossible Trial, tease the audience at a press conference with a snippet of their upcoming sold-out performance in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse
Food and Drinks

Chinese dining etiquette dos and don’ts, from who eats first to tea pouring

Chinese table manners and traditions emphasise sharing and politeness and can be complicated. Here are the most important rules.

Hong Kong economy

Spouses, children of top talent unhappy with life in Hong Kong: university study

Hang Seng University study finds nearly 70 per cent of spouses, 85 per cent of children reported feeling dissatisfied with life in Hong Kong.

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My Life

From a corner shop to cabaret star: Rick Lau reflects on his journey

A clairvoyant told him he was destined for the stage, so he changed his whole career trajectory, but even growing up in Hong Kong, he was inspired by Barry Manilow.

Cabaret show performer Rick Lau grew up in Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Chan
Hong Kong society

No Cantonese, no career? Can Hong Kong do more to help ethnic minority groups?

Discrimination, a lack of Cantonese and integration into society are issues not yet resolved, say NGOs and experts.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Music

Who is Lan Lao? Meet the Chinese rapper more popular than Jay Chou

Mixing Cantonese culture with American rap influences, Lan Lao is a viral sensation inspired by stars like Drake, Young Thug and Wang Yitai.

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Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong has what it takes to be an Islamic finance hub

Readers discuss how Hong Kong can capitalise on the potential of Islamic finance assets, the Flywin principle, and English standards.

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